PSY30290 Applied Health Psychology

Academic Year 2023/2024

This course exposes the student to the critical nature, principles and applications of health psychology. Students are introduced to core theoretical approaches and a variety of topics with an emphasis on real world practical application. Topics include health beliefs, managing stress, adjustment to chronic illness, adherence to treatment and communication in healthcare. Students learn stress management techniques, explore health promotion strategies and design a health behaviour change intervention with opportunity to practice via small group workshops.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- Critically discuss the bio-psycho-social factors influencing health behaviours
- Evaluate approaches to behaviour change in health psychology and the challenges facing this speciality area
- Critically discuss key elements of health behaviour change interventions and evaluation
- Demonstrate an understanding of a number of techniques used to facilitate health behaviour change.
- Work with a group of peers to present a critical review of a selected topic in applied health psychology.

Indicative Module Content:

Biomedical and Bio-psycho social approaches
Stress management
Living with chronic illness
Lifestyle change
Communication in healthcare
Intervention design

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10

Small Group

10

Specified Learning Activities

10

Autonomous Student Learning

95

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module uses an interactive and practical approach to teaching and learning whereby students are expected to engage in class discussion on various health related topics. Students will participate in group-based activities in class and have opportunity for reflective learning as they are encouraged to engage in health-related personal development exercises. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students are advised that a prior knowledge of introductory psychological concepts is recommended but not required.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 2000 word essay submitted at end of semester Week 12 n/a Graded No

60

Presentation: Presentation in class Varies over the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

40


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students are given group feedback after their presentation. Individual feedback is available to students on their end of semester essay.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
     
Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 15:50